Berlin and its olfactory stenches

Some places in Berlin, like Viktoriapark, smell like poo. Actual, human poo, not blood and bone or dog turds. Other places, such as Warschauerstrasse, stink of wee. I have also identified other human smells which I will not go into on a blog that is read by my parents and co-workers (but feel free to use your imagination).

And yet despite the fact that Berlin really does reek, I am quite taken with the place. A modern city of such diversity is really hard to describe. The architecture, pre- and post-war (that's all the wars prior to the twentieth century, plus the two world wars and the Cold War) is impossible to categorise. Politically and demographically it is incredibly diverse. And despite Berlin itself being in €63 billion debt, and having 14% unemployment, it remains an economic powerhouse in European terms. And it's fun and hedonistic and sexy and relaxed.

So yesterday, in addition to doing some wandering around and shopping atMuji (OMG AMAZING!) I went on a dusk bike tour of Berlin, which took us through many historic sites and a pleasant ride through the Tiergarten to a Biergarten. I won't attempt to describe these shots, because a) I don't know shit about German history, and b) we saw so many things I am bound to mix these things up.
















I would like it known that while I think German bier flags are quite pretty in a biergarten in the Tiergarten, the same cannot be said if they are adorning the verandah of a sharehouse in Northcote where world music is welcome. It's all about context, you see.



I write this from a laundromat (or waschrcentr) in Warschauerstrasse. The reputed precision and efficiency of the Germans is extremely apparent. As I sit here, I have witnessed a man spend thirty minutes folding four identical pairs of white shorts and a bedsheet.







(Not this guy, though. This guy looks like he was partying at my hotel until 5am, playing ping pong to Salt'n'Pepa in the courtyard).

Today, I'm going to do more of what I do best: hang out in art galleries, looking at the work until such time as I feel like checking out the gallery cafe and/or bookshop. See ya heaps later!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad